Rebecca Roth, planning staff, presented proposed maintenance amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance on Dec. 4 that implement parts of the Destination 2050 comprehensive plan update and update local code to reflect recent state statutory changes. Roth said staff proposes removing some place‑type references that tie density standards to the comprehensive plan in order to avoid unintended down‑zoning impacts under new state law.

Roth described a policy change for larger, master‑planned developments: instead of a full traffic impact analysis (TIA) at the rezoning stage, applicants for projects above a threshold (staff indicated an example threshold of 25 acres) could submit a transportation network plan prepared by a licensed traffic engineer that outlines anticipated traffic distribution and internal street networks. "We have drafted the amendment to say that a traffic engineer still would need to prepare this plan," Roth said, explaining the approach is intended for long build‑out projects where TIA assumptions can become less accurate over time.

Staff also proposed designating the Riverfront Mixed Use district as a 'legacy district,' meaning it would remain in place where already applied but would not be available for new requests. Roth said staff plans to release the public review documents for these amendments imminently and asked for comments by Dec. 29 so staff could consider them before preparing materials for the board's January meeting; she also noted that Destination 2050 comments will be accepted through Dec. 19.

Board members asked who would prepare the transportation network plans and how the timing would change review work; staff confirmed the plans would be prepared by traffic engineers and that the intent is to move detailed TIA engineering to a later stage for large projects, while still providing decision‑makers with information about likely roadway impacts earlier in the rezoning conversation.

The planning board received the information and took no vote on the amendments at this meeting. Staff said the draft amendments would be posted on the county website soon and highlighted ways for interested residents to sign up for notifications and submit comments.